This is an extract of an exchange between Chris Whitty and Greg Clark, when he and Patrick Vallance appeared before the science and technology select committee the other day.Originally Posted by Dave_Mole
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...falling-older/
During the hearing, Greg Clark, the committee chairman, pointed out that positive cases in Liverpool had fallen since the imposition of Tier 3 restrictions and asked why a national lockdown was necessary if the tier system was working.
Prof Whitty told the panel that cases were continuing to rise in older people, saying: "What we are seeing is the rates, particularly in younger people, have fallen.
"But you're not seeing that reliably in the older age bands, and that's important because the rates falling in people in their 20s will actually have remarkably little effect on the NHS. The rates are still steadily tracking up in all the data that I have seen in the older age groups, who are the ones who are likely to translate into hospitalisations, ICU cases and attempts."
Mr Clark said: "So we think that the fall in positive tests in places like Liverpool over the last few weeks is not reflected in the prevalence in older groups?”
Prof Whitty replied: "Correct. This is a differential effect for different ages."
This is the relevant extract from Chris Whitty's letter.
"I did not say there was no reduction in Liverpool specifically (nor does my relistening imply that - "I said that looking at the data particularly in the north of England") but since that has been the interpretation put on my comments can I say on the record that in Liverpool specifically, rates have been dropping both in younger people and older people.
But he was specifically asked about Liverpool by Greg Clark and answered that question.
You say the letter does not admit that cases are falling in Liverpool but it clearly does.
